Cinderella Stereotypes

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Growing up, I thought my mother looked just like Cinderella and had the same pretty voice. I was excited to watch this movie again, with my daughter, because I thought it would bring me back to my childhood. I must admit that while watching it for absolutely different reasons, and taking notes, it was hard to enjoy it as much. Without immediately referring to the sheer passivity of the heroine, Cinderella, I’ve found that this story not only gender-stereotypes, but sets societal norms right out there on the table for you, and agrees and supports every one of them. Cinderella is not the role model I want for my daughter. Cinderella’s personality is one that is very humble and lets her step-mother and step-sisters walk all over her. She…show more content…
She falls in love with him by taking just one look at him. There are no arguments or misunderstandings because of course, Cinderella would never argue, the Prince would always be right. She falls into a blissful oblivion of love and lives happily ever after. Cinderella and her Prince Charming are also white, which leads to a racial stereotype. The only woman the prince is going to marry is beautiful and white. The prince and his lifestyle are the cultural norm, and everyone wants to be rich. It is capitalistic and when Cinderella has to be dressed in the beautiful ball gown, it is an example of consumerism and how a woman is only wanted if she is beautiful while wearing something beautiful as well. Cinderella is an example of traditional norms when it comes to femininity. If she were strong and independent, she would end up alone. If she wasn’t subservient, she would end up an old spinster. Yes, the prince will save her, not from drowning... but from being alone! As far as the story went, she remains a princess, never becomes the…show more content…
The means justifies the end, instead of the end justifying the means. It would be nice to have such a simple life and have everything breeze by so easily, but I wouldn’t want it to happen because of a man. I don’t think feminists would be happy with the notion that women are only likely to be happy if their happiness is found through someone else because of their beauty and obedience. Also, Cinderella gives young children the impression that men have value if they are rich, women have value if they are beautiful and submissive and that if they sit around long enough, everything will come to them without having to work for it. All they have to do is
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